Terrible 'Billy The Swan' And Other Notable Relics

Whether you're a serious or amateur historian, the Orange County Historical Museum offers an adventure back to the county's early days.

Replicas of the infamous Billy the Swan the ''Tyrant of Lake Lucerne'' and Fort Christmas are featured items.

The museum dates back to 1942 when a group of women set up a pioneer kitchen in Orlando's courthouse as part of a county-wide observance of a ''Century of Progress.'' The kitchen ultimately evolved into the museum, which moved to its permanent Loch Haven Park home in 1976.

The county's history can be followed from the days when it was named Mosquito through the Big Freeze of 1894 to the land boom of the 1920s and Orlando's boom days during the Walt Disney World landinvestment deals of the '60s. The legacy of the area's roots are traced pictorially with black and white and sepia tones of old Florida-style homes, street scenes and Orlando landmarks. Archeological findings, banners, flags, furniture, clothing and old hot-type machines are among the donations on display.

The museum also has a research library containing everything of importance ever written about Central Florida. The repository of Orange County's past is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.